'Hardheaded Kepha,' replied Yeshua, 'do you not understand? Unless I wash you now, you can have no part of my kingdom later.'

'Very well,' said the big fisherman, thrusting out his arms, 'then wash my hands and head as well.'

'Take a bath if you must, Shimeon,' answered Yeshua, resuming his duty. 'Your big feet are labour enough for me.'

The onlookers laughed at this, and Shimeon, with much huffing and puffing, suffered the humiliation of having his feet washed by his Master. Yeshua continued on, making a circuit of the room. Cait watched him as he went here and there, pausing to wash his followers' feet in his lap and dry them with the cloth he had tied around his waist. Some laughed at the novelty of the situation, others grew quiet and submitted with solemn formality.

When he finished, Yeshua returned to the table and put on his cloak once more. Then, addressing the gathering, he spread his arms wide and said, 'Beloved friends, the Passover feast is ready. Come, let us sit and enjoy it together. For I tell you the truth, I shall not eat it again until the kingdom is fulfilled.'

Cait could see that some wondered at the meaning of this invitation, but their questions were swept away in the general rush to find places at the table. Clearly, there were many more people present than would fit around the single table, and some would have to make their places on rugs spread about the room.

As the genial crowd pushed forward, two of the younger members jostled one another for a seat. One bumped the other in his haste to claim a place. His friend shoved him aside saying, 'Leave the table for the elders. Children sit over there.'

Yeshua heard them. 'What is this?' he chided gently. 'Are we now become like Roman kings who lord it over the people and claim every high place as their right?' Having drawn the attention of the Master, the two grew embarrassed and shrank back. 'May it never be. Instead, let the greatest among you be like the least. For in the kingdom to come, you will eat and drink at my table and each and every one of you will sit on thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel.'

This brought a delighted laugh from those around him. One at the end of the table called out, 'I will be King Shimeon!' To which someone else added, 'Ruler of the Fishes and Turtles in the sea!'

'Kings will you be,' affirmed the Master. 'But in the kingdom to come, the one who would rule must be as the lowliest servant in his house.'

The two slunk away, ashamed; their places were quickly taken by others and everyone settled down, some reclining on cushions, others sitting cross-legged on their rugs. When all was quiet, Yeshua blessed the food and the festal meal commenced. Soon they were all eating and talking-laughter gusted in quick bursts, most of which, Cait noticed, originated at Yeshua's side of the table.

Loath to take her eyes from him, Cait drank in each small gesture, each smile and nod, the lift of an eyebrow, the knowing glance as, like a good shepherd, he gathered his flock about him for a last meal.

How is this possible? she wondered. How is it happening? Then, fearful that her questioning might somehow destroy the vision, she silenced her doubts and gave herself wholly to the moment.

One of the women of the group rose from her place and picked up a pitcher. She passed along the table, filling cups with wine, and came to where Yeshua was sitting. She filled his cup also, and as she made to move on he reached out and took her hand in his, pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the cheek. No one else saw this small intimacy which passed between the two; or if they did, accepted it as a commonplace unworthy of comment. But Cait felt a warmth rise within her, and felt her face grow flushed-as if it had been herself the Master had honoured in this way.

He is a man, after all, she thought.

The dark-haired woman smiled, touched his cheek, and moved on. Yeshua stood and raised his cup as if he would drink the health of his followers. Instead, he tilted back his head and said, 'Father of Lights, I give you thanks that you always hear me. Let this cup be to your honour and glory.'

Then, taking up a round flat loaf from one of the baskets, he blessed it likewise, and said, 'I am the living bread which has come down from Heaven. Anyone who eats of this bread, shall have eternal life.' With that, he ripped the loaf in half, and held out the two halves to those on either side of him. 'The bread which I give you is my flesh. Take it and divide it among you. From now on, when you gather to break bread, remember how my body was broken for you, and for the sins of the world.'

At these words, a hush descended like a heavy curtain over the room. Cait sensed a quickening in her spirit, and felt a thrill of excitement ripple through the room. Some understood, but others did not. 'What is he saying?' someone whispered. 'What is this?' asked another. 'He thinks the bread is his flesh?'

Taking up the cup once more, he held it out before him and said, 'This is my blood which is shed for you, my beloved friends. Henceforth, let all who drink from this cup, do so in memory of me until I return.'

A dissenting voice called out from among those at the table. It was Shimeon. 'Lord and Master! This is a hard thing you are saying; who can understand it? Tell us that you speak in jest.'

'I tell you the truth, anyone who will not eat the flesh of the Son of Man, nor drink his blood, shall not see the Kingdom of God. But anyone who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood will have life everlasting, for I will live in him and he will live in me.'

So saying, He passed the cup to the young man sitting at his right hand. The man accepted it, but did not raise it to his lips. Yeshua saw his reluctance. 'Do not be afraid, Yochanan. It is for you. Drink.'

At this, the man drank from the cup, and hurriedly passed it back. 'I wish you would not talk so, Master,' he said. 'You know the Temple priests are like hounds baying for your blood.'

Yeshua, his face alight with the glory to come, placed his hand over the top of the cup. 'Behold, I am making a new covenant in my blood. Rejoice! Again I say, rejoice! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'

A few of his followers cheered, but most remained silent as the veiled meaning of the Master's words awakened a dark apprehension. Taking the cup, Yeshua began to move among the groups of people; he served them all, men and women alike from the same cup, and then, as he passed by the place where Caitriona was standing, he paused, and turned. 'There you are,' he said, as if he had been searching for her. 'Why hide in the shadows when you could rejoice in the light?'

Cait's breath caught in her throat. She was discovered. She gazed at him, her heart pounding in her ears, unable to speak.

'O, small of faith,' he chided gently, 'the bridegroom himself summons you to his feast. Put aside your doubts and fears and enter into the celebration.'

Unable to bear his scrutiny, she bent her head and looked away. Someone called out from the other side of the room, but Cait could not make out the words. Then she felt the Master's touch as he put his hand beneath her chin and turned her face to his.

'Woman, why do you hide?'

'Please, Master, I do not belong here,' Cait said, scarcely aware that she had spoken. The words seemed to come of themselves. 'I am not worthy of your regard.'

'Daughter,' he said gently, 'my own dear child, do you not know that the day of salvation is near? Behold, the Lord has prepared a banquet; he has consecrated those he has invited.' He offered her the cup; when she hesitated, he placed it in her grasp and covered her hand with his own saying, 'This is my blood which is shed for you. Drink all of it.'

Cait raised the cup and drank the wine. It was raw in her mouth, but she drained all that remained. Yeshua smiled; removing his dove-grey cloak, He placed it on her shoulders. 'Blessed are you, beloved, for though you were barren, yet would your children be more numerous than stars.'